Fear has gripped the people of Yaav and Mbakyol council wards of Kwande local government area of Benue State as armed bandits suspected to be herdsmen invaded the two communities on Christmas day, killing over 12 people and abducted seven children.

A resident of now deserted Mbadura council ward who is taking refuge in Jato-Aka Lawrence Akerigba, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, informed that the attackers abducted seven children with the oldest being 6 years, while the youngest is 2 years of age.

According to him, “The attackers invaded Yaav and Mbakyol councill wards of Turan community at about 4pm when most residents were at home with their families enjoying the cool breeze of the yuletide, killing 12, injuring scores, and abducted children while others were still mssing.

“On Christmas day evening, eight young boys who are also taking refuge in Jato-Aka town which is Yaav council wards were sent by their parents to bring some crops from the farm so as to prepare food for the family on the Boxing Day and on their way, they met the attackers who opened fire on them, killing one person while the remaining seven who escaped with gunshot injuries are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

Akerigba also disclosed that there is sustained attack by bandits on the community after the burial of Wantaregh Paul Unongo, adding that out of the five council wards in the Turan community, four have been deserted for over 10 years due to sustained attacks by bandits suspected to be armed herdsmen.

“I am from Mbadura Council ward here in Turan Community of Kwande LG, but all of us have left our communities, we are now taking refuge in Jato-Aka town for fear of the unknown, and it seems the government has totally forgotten that his people are going through hell here, nobody is coming to our rescue, no relief materials, even as many were celebrating we were just hearing and the sudden attack on the already traumatised communities.

He said, “Our young people are combining the bushes around because as we talk now, many people are still missing including women and children, 9 corpses were picked at the scene of the attack while three were recovered from the surrounding bushes, search is still on and there is the likelihood that more corpses will be recovered.

“What we are calling for now is for the government to make our communities safe to enable us go back to our ancestral homes to continue with our farming to feed our families and pay our childrens school fees, because from all indications, it seems the security here are helpless. These bandits come with more sophisticated weapons, since yesterday 4pm and today almost 11am now no security personnel has come here to access the situation and give the people hope, those who lost their loved ones are just crying since yesterday

Akerigba gave the names of the slain victims to include Vanen Iorvihi, Mike Azege, Anyisa Akpa, Ausa Imbior, orwua Abur Hwande,.Iornumbe Tse, Zaki Ashivor Mbailuve Tyohemba,Terhemba Tyohemba Jim Ierkwagh and Ijeyol Ierkwagh.

He however said the number was still counting, adding that the search team was still searching for those missing in the bush.

Efforts to speak with the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene proved abortive as she was neither.

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Theophilus Osazuwa for allegedly killing his four-year-old son.

The command said Osazuwa was suspected to have committed the act while under the influence of hard drugs.

The spokesperson for the command, Moses Yamu, revealed in a statement on Wednesday night that the incident, which resulted in the death of the four-year-old boy, occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

He stated that Osazuwa had just returned to his apartment at Ogbeson Quarters, off Benin-Agbor Road in Benin City, when he suddenly fell into a trance.

While in a trance, the suspect reportedly screamed, “Holy Ghost fire,” grabbed the four-year-old boy, and slammed him against the wall, resulting in the child’s death.

Yamu stated, “Edo Police Command has arrested one Theophilus Osazuwa of Ogbeson Quarters off Benin-Agbor Road, Benin City, for the murder of his four-year-old son named Testimony Osazuwa.

“The suspect was said to have arrived at his home on 24/12/2024 at about 1230 hrs, went berserk screaming ‘Holy Ghost fire,’ then reached for the four-year-old boy and slammed him to the wall. The child was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the young man who is known for the consumption of illicit (colloquial, ice, etc.) substances must have acted under the influence of the same.”

He stated that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umoru Ozigi, cautioned youths against the dangers of consuming illicit substances and drugs, emphasising their harmful effects on health and the potential risks they pose to both their lives and the safety of others.

The presiding Pastor of the Tree of Life Bible Church, Irete, Owerri West LGA, Ebere Emmanuel Amadi, has been arraigned in court after many weeks of hiding from the police.

He was arrested by the Ogbaku Police Station, following a report leveled against him by his mother, Mrs. Nelly Chidinma Amadi for assault, molestation and threat to her life, over family property.

DAILY POST gathered that pastor Amadi had earlier jumped administrative bail from the Scorpion Squad Office a few weeks ago, which warranted the police to launch for his rearrest.

Following his apprehension, the State Police command instituted a court action against him for allegedly molesting and threatening the life of Mrs. Nelly Amadi who was said to be his mother.

In the suit, MID/31C/ 2024, between Commissioner of Police Vs Ebere Emmanuel Amadi, 47, the charges read, “That you Ebere Emmanuel Amadi “M” On or before September 6,2024 at Irete Owerri, Imo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did steal property documents belonging to one Nelly Amadi and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 390 (9) of the criminal code Cap “C38” of the laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Imo State.

“COUNT II: That you Ebere Emmanuel Amadi “M” on about the same date and place did with intent maliciously damaged the medicated eye glass worth Sixty Thousand Naira (N60,000) property of Nelly Amadi and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap “C38” Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Imo State.

“COUNT III: that you Ebere Emmanuel Amadi on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, by forcibly entering into the compound of one Nelly Amadi and wrote “This House is Not For Sale”, “Beware of 419” and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249 ( d) of the Criminal Code, Cap “C38″ Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable to Imo State.”

Counsel to defendant, Barr. Osuocha, pleaded with the court to grant him bail on the ground that the case is a family matter and may be settled out of court.

After his submissions, the Magistrate, His Worship Alamezie asked the Prosecutor, Maria Gorretti Nosiri, if she was objecting to the request to grant the defendant bail, she said, “No objection”.

The court granted the Defendant bail of N500, 000, and a surety, who must be a Level 10 Officer with the Imo State Civil Service, in like sum, alongside means of identification documents.

Due to unavailability of a surety for the defendant, the Prosecuting officer, Nosiri took him to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Owerri.

The court adjourned till January 24, 2025 for hearing as the defendant pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him.